29th September 2014
By Elaine Murphy
elaine@TheCork.ie
Clonakilty Black Pudding – a model for local sustainable jobs – Clune
Deirdre Clune, Ireland South MEP, last week met with the owners of Clonakilty Black Pudding at the National Ploughing Championships and has praised the company as an example of how we can create local sustainable jobs in Cork,
“Clonakilty Black Pudding is going from strength to strength. They are one of a growing number of food producers from the Cork area that are creating jobs, opening export markets and driving economic growth in Cork.
“Management are confident for the future of the business. These are the kinds of companies we have prioritised in our action plan for jobs. It is a family business which employs local Cork people.
“I was heartened to meet with so many small Cork Producers at the National Ploughing Championships last week. The Agri food industry has food exports reaching a historical high of almost €10bn.This represents an increase of 40% in the last four years with revenues almost €3 billion higher than in 2009.
“Expanding middle classes in growing economies like China and India are looking to Ireland as a source of high end fresh food produce. The agri food sector accounts for somewhere between 8 and 9% of GDP.
“Small scale food and agri producers in Cork are deeply embedded in the local community and must receive all the help we can get to them. I am meeting today, Monday September 29th, with the President of the European Investment Bank (EIB) Werner Hoyer in Luxembourg. I plan on raising the issue of SME finance and access to credit with him.